Intelligence boss to be named soon

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill will announce the new director-general of the National Intelligence Organisation (NIO).
Responding to questions by Rabaul MP Dr Allan Marat, O’Neill told Parliament on Friday that NIO had many challenges.
“I agree with the member on issues he has raised. I am aware of the issues raised by some of the disciplined officers, those who have been marginalised or sacked from NIO for various allegations,” he said.
“I have received complaints from those officers and I have instructed my department to investigate those allegations and I am yet to receive advice on that.
“I am not aware of the other allegations raised by the member about nepotism, misuse of funds and abuse of motor vehicles and sexual harassment.
“I urge the member to provide that to me and I will certainly be able to respond to that and act on the issue about providing proper intelligence assessment to Government on a timely basis.
“We are talking to some of our development partners, including the Australians, to rebuild NIO so that we can have the capacity to monitor some of those activities that are so crucial to the security of our nation.
“The appointments committee comprising the prime minister, Opposition leader and other independent members have agreed on the appointment of a new NIO director-general and they will be making that announcement shortly.”